Revealed: The Top 10 UK Cities for Dangerous Driving
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There were 131,220 road traffic casualties in the UK from July 2019 – June 2020, 1,580 of which were fatal.
With roads throughout the UK a major risk for both drivers and pedestrians alike, we decided to run a survey to find out how many Brits knowingly break driving laws. From drink driving to speeding, using your phone and more, it’s time to find out which cities are home to the most dangerous cities in the UK for driving.
Bristol has the most dangerous drivers
Out of the whole of the UK, we can reveal that dangerous driving in Bristol is the worst in the country, followed by London, Cardiff, Leeds and Glasgow.
Whilst 97% of Brits agree that being distracted whilst driving is dangerous, 48% admit to eating and drinking whilst driving, and 47% admit to both driving whilst being tired, and speeding.
With 33% of Brits saying they’re nervous drivers, that’s not really a surprise, considering the number of people that do commit illegal acts whilst driving; yet 34% say they’re not aware of all of the rules and regulations.
86% of Brits think that the government should be doing more to prevent dangerous driving – and once you’ve read these stats, if you’re not currently in agreeance with this statement, you soon will be…
Leeds is the speeding capital of the UK
Bristol might have the most dangerous drivers in the UK, but only 13% admitted to driving over the speeding limit; whereas in Leeds, 53.6% say they’ve driven faster than they should.
Over 50% of drivers in Norwich, Bristol and Cardiff also admitted to speeding in the past too. Whilst Southampton has the lowest number of pedal-happy drivers, nearly 40% of those surveyed admitted to speeding, which is still a very high statistic.
27.7% of Birmingham drivers use their phones whilst driving
It’s a close competition, but Birmingham comes out on top with the most number of drivers using their phones, followed by London, at 27.7% and 27.2% respectively. The first laws relating to using phones whilst driving was introduced in December 2003; and since March 2017, drivers caught using a phone will get six points on their licence, and a £200 fine.
Cardiff is the capital of driving over the limit
In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, the alcohol limit is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, and in Scotland, it’s 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
Shockingly, 17% of Cardiff drivers have admitted to driving over the limit, with Norwich and Bristol drivers in second and third place. In contrast, Edinburgh was the only city in the country where no one admitted to drink driving – and in fact, no one from Edinburgh said they drove under the influence of drugs, or applied makeup whilst driving.
19% of Brits say they don’t know the rules for driving after having a drink, but most shockingly, is that 22% of people surveyed thought that having a drink POSITIVELY impacted their abilities as a driver. No wonder we have problem with dangerous driving in the UK.
You might think that driving 5 miles over the speed limit doesn’t pose any real threat, or that just having that one extra drink won’t effect you at all; but the truth is, these actions could have catastrophic – and deadly – consequences.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a road traffic accident and are looking for compensation, get in touch to find out how we can help you. Alternatively, head on over to our blog for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of dangerous driving are most common in the UK?
Dangerous driving can take many forms. According to police.co.uk, some examples of dangerous driving are:
- speeding, racing, or driving aggressively
- disregarding traffic lights, road signs or passenger warnings
- overtaking recklessly
- driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or certain medications
- driving while unfit, such as due to injury, impaired vision, failure to take prescribed medication, or drowsiness
- being aware of a dangerous vehicle fault or carrying an unsafe load
Driving while distracted can also cause dangerous driving. For example, using a hand-held phone, reading a map, talking to and looking at a passenger, lighting a cigarette, or adjusting the radio.
What are the penalties for dangerous driving in the UK?
As outlined in The Highway Code, the penalty for dangerous driving can include up to a maximum of 2 years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine and disqualification.
